1. Organizational Culture of Educational Non-government Organizations in Post-soviet Azerbaijan Presenter: Eddie McGee, M.Ed., M.A. Ohio University USA

2. English Language Fellow Program/U.S. Department of State EFL Classroom Teaching Teacher Training In-Service and Pre-service Training Curriculum Development Workshop and Seminar Design Testing Program Evaluation Needs Assessment English for Specific Purposes (ESP)

3. Azerbaijan English Language Fellow 2004-2006 Research conducted Jan – June 2006

4. Civil Society Development Atomization and Fragmentation of the Public Sphere Antipathy and Distrust of Formal Institutions and Organizations Closed Nature of Networks Civil Society in Opposition to the State Transcendence of Ethnic and Regional Cleavages

5. Non-government Organization (NGO) Spearhead civil society initiatives Mediation between government and market forces Link with international organizations Advocacy: education, development, the disabled, human rights, human trafficking, women’s issues

6. Azerbaijan English Teachers Association Created in 1996 Professional development 5 Branches Special interest groups: materials development, young learners, civic education, adult learners

7. Azerbaijan Young Leader’s Association (AYLA) Center for English Language Learning and International Education Youth programs funded by National Endowment for Democracy Courses in English, computers, journalism, law, marketing, management

8. Ganja Education Information Center (GEIC) Created in 1999 International Education advising, English conversation clubs, TOEFL, GRE International Education Free Internet, computer classes NGO resource center

9. Research Question What are the distinct features of the organizational culture of educational of Local Non-government Organizations (LNGOs) in Ganja, Azerbaijan? Sub-questions 1. Intended impact on educational and institutional reform and civil society development 2. Group member’s identity and self-belief 3. Links with International Organizations 4. Parallels in the Caucasus and NIS

10. Conceptual Frame Four Frames (Bolman & Deal) Structural: rules, roles, goals, policies Human Resource: needs, skills, relationships Political: power, conflict, competition, politics Symbolic: culture, meaning, ritual, ceremonies, stories, heroes

11. Data Collection Interviews of NGO leaders, service, providers, service recipients Focus groups Document analysis Four Frames: structural, human resource, political, symbolic SWOT: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats

12. Research Findings: AzETA 2 ELT conferences “opened my eyes” A branch manager needs to be paid; otherwise it is a self-sacrifice no computers or other equipment, no ready email access, irregular opening hours, no funding Shakespeare play, summer camp Study tours in Azerbaijan; conferences in Georgia; TEA program (USA)

13. GEIC Beginning of the internet in Ganja Not dependent on leader Evidence of role definition Employees know their responsibility; attached to work, (ownership) Desire to be at work even though director is not there “Things not left to destiny” Director not dictator Independent roles of employees

14. NGO Problems NGOs behave like businesses; getting grants for the money; same NGOs get the grants; not many new NGOs or development over the last five years All grants and projects come from the leader; leader refuses to co-write grants; doesn’t want to share decision-making process

15. NGO Problems The leader is like an iceberg: there’s part that is visible and part that is not Main goal is to earn money from grants NGO provides education, but it is not the main goal NGO registration hindered by local gov’ts

16. AzETA 2008 Updates 1. Newly Qualified Teacher Training Initially funded by the British Council; will be funded from September 2008 by the Ministry of Education 2. 7 month English course for journalists (Nov 2007 - May 2008) supported by the US Embassy and Azercell 3. English courses requested by Ministry of Tourism, Parliament, Cabinet of Ministers 4. Two new branches in the regions 5. Membership: about 700

17. Thank You! Eddie McGee, M.A., M.Ed. ESL Instructor Ohio Program of Intensive English Ohio University Athens, Ohio USA